MLA is a citation style often used in the humanities. The document provides guidance on citing direct quotations, paraphrased information, and sources in MLA style. It instructs to include quotation marks for direct quotes and to attribute the author and page number either in the text or in parentheses. For paraphrased information, attribute the author and page number. When citing a source by title in the works cited list, use the full or shortened title. Web citations should include author, title, website title, publisher or sponsor, date, medium, and access date.

1. MLA CITATION GUIDE
SHHS Library

2. WHAT IS MLA?
MLA (Modern Language Association) style formatting is
often used in various Humanities disciplines.

3. YOUR INSTRUCTOR KNOW BEST
The number 1 rule for any formatting style:
Always
Follow your instructor’s
guidelines

4. Citing a direct
quotation attributing
the author in the
text: Wordsworth stated that
Romantic poetry was marked
When you want to
cite a direct quotation by a “spontaneous overflow of
attributing the author
in the text: powerful feelings” (263).
1. Copy the quote
word for word
using the exact
same
punctuation, Works Cited Entry
spelling, etc.
Place quotations
marks at the
beginning and Wordsworth, William. Lyrical
end of the quote.
2. Attribute only the Ballads. London: Oxford U.P.,
page number
after the text.
1967. Print.

5. Citing a direct
quotation: Romantic poetry is characterized
by the “spontaneous overflow of
When you want to
cite a direct
powerful feelings” (Wordsworth,
quotation: 263).
1. Copy the quote
word for word
using the exact
same
punctuation,
spelling, etc. Works Cited Entry
Place quotations
marks at the
beginning and
end of the quote. Wordsworth, William. Lyrical
2. Attribute the
author and the Ballads. London: Oxford U.P.,
page number
after the text. 1967. Print.

6. Citing a source that
you summarize or
Emotion plays an important
paraphrase: role in the creative process
of Romantic poetry
1. Summarize or
paraphrase the (Wordsworth, 263).
information
using your own
words. Do not
just change a Wordsworth extensively
few words.
2. Attribute the explored the role of emotion
author and the in the creative process (263).
page number
after the text.
OR Attribute the
author in the
text and include Works Cited Entry
the page number
after the text.
Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads.
London: Oxford U.P., 1967. Print.

7. Citing a source
listed by title:
We see so many global warming
hotspots in North America likely because
When a source is this region has “more readily
listed by title in accessible climatic data and more
the works cited comprehensive programs to monitor and
list, use the full study environmental change . . .”
title (if brief) or a (“Impact of Global Warming” 6).
shortened
version of the title
in the
parenthetical
documentation. Works Cited Entry
When
abbreviating the
title, begin with “The Impact of Global Warming in North America.”
the word(s) by
which it is Global Warming: Early Signs. 1999. Web. 23 Mar.
alphabetized.
2009.

8. Citing a Web site Sample Works Cited Entries
A nonperiodical publication
on the Web usually contains
most of the following, in
“de Kooning, Willem.” Encyclopaedia Britannica
sequence: Online. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2008. Web.
1. Name of the author,
compiler, director, or 27 August 2012.
editor
Title of the work
2.
(italicized if the work is Green, Joshua. “The Rove Presidency.” The
independent; in roman
type and quotations Atlantic.com. Atlantic Monthly Group, Sept.
marks if the work is
part of a larger work 2007. Web. 27 August 2012.
3. Title of the overall Web
site (italicized) “Hourly News Summary.” National Public Radio.
4. Version or edition
5. Publisher or sponsor; if Natl. Public Radio, 20 July 2007. Web. 20 27
not available, use N.p.
6. Date of publication; if
August 2012.
nothing is available,
use n.d.
7. Medium of publication
(Web)
8. Date of access (day,
month, and year)